Canada protects endangered prairie from huge gas drilling plan

Suffield National Wildlife Area was established in 2003 to protect endangered native prairie and the many species of animals and plants at risk in the area. Photo credit Clifff Wallis

Prairie grasslands and species at risk - Government sets high bar for Suffield National Wildlife Area

December 2012. The Canadian Government has turned down a request from Canadian oil and gas giant Cenovus. A group of conservation bodies, known as the Suffield Coalition, have applauded the government's decision to deny approval of Cenovus' (previously EnCana) proposal to drill 1,275 natural gas wells and construct associated infrastructure in the Suffield National Wildlife Area (NWA).

Suffield National Wildlife AreaSuffield NWA was established in 2003 to protect endangered native prairie and the many species of animals and plants at risk in the area, including at least 15 federally listed species threatened with extinction. It's home to at least 19 federally listed species at risk, including the burrowing owl, the loggerhead shrike, and Ord's kangaroo rat.

‘Project would result in significant adverse effects on at risk'The Canadian Government responded to the January 2009 recommendations of the Joint Review Panel that conducted an environmental review of Cenovus' proposed expansion. It agreed with the Panel's conclusion that the proposed project would result in significant adverse effects on certain species at risk and would interfere with the conservation of wildlife. This decision sets a high bar for protecting the integrity of this unique area of fragile native prairie.

"We are greatly encouraged by this decision," says Sandra Foss, past-president of Nature Alberta. The groups will now turn their efforts to addressing the many existing environmental issues within the NWA. "This decision reinforces the conservation value of Canada's NWAs," says Nature Canada's manager of protected areas, Alex MacDonald, "and sets a great example of putting conservation first in the management of protected wild spaces."

Because the NWA lies within Canadian Forces Base Suffield, the Department of Defense was delegated authority over the NWA when it was established under the Canada Wildlife Act. "The Government's decision shows the Department is serious about its commitment to the protection of the NWA", says Alberta Wilderness Association's Cliff Wallis. "It is very good news for the species that rely on Suffield NWA and it also sets an excellent precedent about the Government's commitment to preserving the integrity of other protected areas."